Study on Multi-point Dieless Forming Technology Based on Numerical and Experimental Approach

수치 및 실험적 접근을 통한 다점무금형성형기술 연구

Large curved plate blocks are widely used to construct hull structure in shipbuilding industry. Most curved plates are manufactured by using manual method called as line heating that use deformation caused by residual stress after local heating along a line which is perpendicular to the curvature direction. However, its working environment is poor and its formability is totally dependent on an experienced technician. In view of that, multi-point dieless forming (MDF) technology that use reconfigurable punch arrays instead of one piece die is proposed in this study. The MDF process is based on a concept of equivalent die surface made by numbers of punches which has round tip at the end of it. In this study, numerical simulation for common curvature type such as saddle shape was carried out. In addition, experiments in the plate forming process were also conducted to compare with the numerical results in view of final configuration. Consequently, it was noted that the proposed dieless forming method has considerable feasibility to substitute the new process for conventional manual method.